Our lonely path

A lonely path leads me apart

Taking me to the center of my heart

And unearths what I really are

Traversing this downtrodden road

I see many fjords inhabited by an acquainted toad

It wants me to turn against the flow and accept my mar

But fearing that I no longer include

And still being aware on the danger of solitude

I let this path take me far

To the side behind the trees and the rocks

I’ve heard twigs snap and peripherally see eyestalks

Others who walk here are on vigil and observe from afar

On a path walked by many we’re alone

Going this way possibly because to us it’s the most known

And for the moment the sky is dark and I can’t make out a single star

Jag bor i Sverige, men mitt arbete finns i Österrike. En gång i månaden flyger jag till Wien för några intensiva dagar. Sedan återvänder jag till lugnet i norr.

Två rytmer

I Sverige lever jag i ett långsammare tempo. Morgnarna börjar i tystnad, ofta med dimman över sjön och ljudet av fåglar i skogen. Arbetsdagarna är tydligt avgränsade, och fritiden är just det – fri. Här finns tid att andas.

I Wien är allt annorlunda. Staden sjuder av liv; spårvagnarna ringer, caféerna fylls redan på morgonen och tempot ökar så fort jag kliver ur flygplanet. Under mina arbetsdagar där går allt snabbt: möten, beslut, samtal. Jag byter språk, tempo och tillvaro.

Att leva i två rytmer har lärt mig att skifta fokus – att snabbt växla från stillhet till rörelse, från ensamhet till intensitet.

När världen stannade

Pandemin blev en prövning för det här sättet att leva. Gränser stängdes, flyg ställdes in och varje resa blev ett osäkert projekt. Jag testades flera gånger inför varje flygning – före avresa, efter ankomst, ibland mitt under vistelsen.Flygplatserna var tysta och nästan tomma. Munskydd, avstånd och desinfektionsmedel blev en del av vardagen. Att resa, som tidigare varit en självklarhet, kändes plötsligt som ett privilegium.

Pandemin lärde mig tålamod – och tacksamhet. Den visade hur snabbt världen kan förändras, men också hur mycket man klarar när man måste.

Mellan två hem

Ibland känns det som att jag lever två liv. Ett i Sverige, där tystnaden ger mig ro, och ett i Wien, där möten och idéer håller mig vaken långt in på kvällen. Jag saknar ofta något av det ena när jag befinner mig i det andra.

Det här livet kräver planering, men också förmågan att släppa kontrollen. Förseningar, inställda flyg, missade samtal – det händer. Samtidigt får jag se världen ur två perspektiv, leva i två kulturer och uppskatta båda.

Jag har förstått att hem inte alltid är en plats. Det är snarare en känsla – en rytm man bär med sig, oavsett var man befinner sig.

Att leva i rörelse

Kanske är det just i rörelsen mellan platser som livet känns som mest verkligt. Att stå mellan språk, mellan landskap, mellan himmel och jord – där någonstans finns friheten.

När planet lämnar KPH och stiger mot molnen vet jag att jag snart byter värld igen. Från skog till sten, från tystnad till ljud. Och varje gång tänker jag samma sak: jag lever inte mellan två länder – jag lever i båda.

 Just like other things, over time, sport has had a great evolution, being increasingly easier to access for anyone, and has an aspect that can attract people of all ages. Sport does not only involve physical effort but also mental effort. Sports such as chess or fishing, which help develop the intellect and attention. Like any other field, this sport has had a gigantic growth thanks to the big names and the children of the new generations with great talent who want to show what they are capable of. Out there, a multitude of sports exist such as swimming, fencing, athletics, boxing, etc. But the ones that are recognized and sought after internationally are football and basketball. These sports have great internationally recognized representatives, and thanks to them this field is expanding more and more, either as viewers or as players. In the world of football there is a great rivalry between the "best players in the world", Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but basketball also has a great debate between the best player, Michael Jordan or Lebron James. Today we are going to focus on only one of these unbeatable players.

LeBron James Becomes the All-Time Leading NBA Scorer

It was one of those historic nights for basketball, where LeBron James engraved his name in the history of NBA by breaking through the all-time scoring barrier in the league. Coincidentally, that also happened to be one of those nights where the Los Angeles Lakers were really feeling the heat, and the seats in the arena were full of fans from different corners trying to catch a glimpse of this historic moment.

A Moment for the Ages

LeBron took to the floor with just a few points to overcome the long-time mark of the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Midway through the third quarter, James delivered a signature shot and ignited the crowd, stamping his place in history. Abdul-Jabbar was present and congratulated LeBron personally on court. The record had been his for almost four decades. It was one of those moments when two legends embraced, and it felt like a passing of the torch in NBA history.

Astonishing Numbers

Now 39 years into his life, LeBron James has made over 38,390 career points to date, breaking the record held by Abdul-Jabbar. Indeed, this record stands as proof of good longevity, consistency, and unparalleled skill. Over slightly more than a couple of decades in his pro career, James has constantly proven that even in what can be considered the twilight era of his playing career, the fire to compete at a high level still remains.

Reactions from the Sports World

Tributes and praise came from all corners throughout the NBA and beyond in the aftermath. Former player Dwyane Wade called LeBron "the greatest player of our generation," where Magic Johnson congratulated LeBron on "not just breaking more records but redefining what excellence looks like in a basketball player."

What's Next for LeBron?

But as monumental as this record is, well, LeBron's words after the game showed he was not done yet. "I've still got a lot left to give to this game," he said at the post-game presser. Now, fans begin to theorize if he can pull his team to another NBA title and add one more chapter to his already impressive career. With this historic accomplishment, LeBron James remains a symbol of greatness and an inspiration for generations to come.

Film making

But let's travel a little bit back to a time known to the world as The French New Wave (La Nouvelle Vague) It goes without saying that it makes reference to an art film movement that emerged in the late 50s, in Paris. 

The central element was its rejection of traditional filmmaking conventions in favor of experimentation. the outcome? It's impact can still be seen to this day. The movement aimed to give directors full creative control over their work, allowing them to eschew overwrought narrative in favor of improvisational, existential storytelling. 

The French New Wave began with a group of film critics and cinephiles who wrote for Cahiers du cinéma, a famous French film magazine owned by André Bazin. These critics - including Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut, and Éric Rohmer - pushed against big film studios controlling the creative process, and wanted full control of their films.

For decades, mainstream filmmaking, especially from Hollywood, set the standards and "rules" on how to make a film. The French filmmakers understood those rules...and then they broke the rules! The smaller, lightweight cameras were often "freed" from the tripod and handheld, giving a new life and energy to their films. 

The influence of the Nouvelle Vague on filmmaking and filmmakers cannot be minimized. Entire generations of filmmakers have been influenced by these films, including Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese. (Tarantino even named his production company after Godard's seminal film Bande a parte /Band of Outsiders). So, let’s find out which are the most representative films of the French New Wave:

1) Hiroshima mon amour (1959), directed by Alain Resnais

2) Breathless (1960), directed by Jean-Luc Godard

3) Les Bonnes Femmes (1960), directed by Claude Chabrol

4) Shoot the Piano Player (1960), directed by François Truffaut

5) Lola (1960), directed by Jacques Demy

6) Adieu Phillipphine (1962), directed by Jacques Rozier

7) Clėo from 5 to 9 (1962), directed by Agnės Varda

8) Le Mėpris (1963), directed by Jean-Luc Godard

9) Claire’s Knee (1970), directed by Éric Rohmer

10) Cėline et Julie Go Boating (1974), directed by Jacques Rivette.

French is also about literature

When it comes to the French literary movements, they have cast a radiant glow, profoundly shaping not only the fabric of French culture but also the vast realms of global intellectual and artistic landscapes. From the Classical era to the dawn of Modernism, French literature has stood as a beacon for innovation, daringly challenging traditional norms and birthing revolutionary philosophical, social, and political theories that echo throughout the world.

The resonance of French literary movements, such as the Enlightenment, Romanticism, and Existentialism, can not be underestimated. The Enlightenment, illuminated by thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau, introduced the transformative ideals of liberty, equality, and individual rights, laying the foundational stones for modern democracy and human rights. The Romantic movement, adorned with the brilliance of figures like Victor Hugo and Baudelaire, redefined our understanding of emotion, individuality, and the sublime, leaving an indelible mark not only on literature but also on art, music, and philosophy. French Existentialism, boldly championed by Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, probed the depths of existence, freedom, and responsibility, resonating with intellectuals, writers, and activists worldwide as they navigated the complexities of modernity and the human experience.

An expression of diplomacy and philosophy

Furthermore, the influence of French writers extends far beyond the written word into the evolution of language and vocabulary. Historically revered as the language of diplomacy, French emerged as a vital medium for international communication and cultural exchange. Terms like "rendez-vous," "avant-garde," and "cliché" have woven themselves into global lexicons, illustrating the far-reaching impact of French in shaping discourse across diverse cultures. The association of French with sophistication, intellectualism, and artistic refinement persists as a powerful cultural stereotype, reflecting the enduring legacy of French thought and culture in molding global perceptions.

The personalities and philosophies of French writers, with their profound engagement in life, art, and thought, have left an indelible imprint on global consciousness. Visionaries like Albert Camus, who delved into the absurd and the human quest for meaning, and Marcel Proust, who contemplatively explored time and memory, continue to inspire generations with their reflections on existence and human consciousness. Their works transcend borders, offering universal insights into the human condition and igniting the imaginations of thinkers around the globe.

The influence of French literary movements and their luminaries on universal culture, thought, and language is monumental. Through their philosophical explorations, artistic innovations, and cultural diplomacy, French intellectuals have enriched the tapestry of global dialogue, contributing significantly to the evolution of literature, language, and societal concepts, leaving an enduring legacy in the annals of human thought. 

French is here to stay

In conclusion, in an increasingly interconnected world, learning French is more than just mastering a language, it is a gateway to cultural, intellectual, and professional opportunities. Whether for personal enrichment, career advancement, or global engagement, the importance of learning French remains clear, as it connects individuals to a rich cultural legacy and a broader international community.

When you watch a scary scene, your brain quickly reacts to process fear. The amygdala, which handles emotions, triggers a panic response to keep you safe, while the hippocampus helps make sense of the fear. These areas work together to produce chemicals that prepare your body to react.

If the scene feels realistic, your fear increases; if it’s cheesy, your brain may downplay it. Fear is complicated, which is why some people enjoy horror movies and others don’t. This quick brain response is what turns fear into the physical sensations you feel when scared.

So, you might ask yourself, why DO some people want to feel scared, to induce themselves the sensation of fear? Personally, I believe that it gives some people satisfaction, its like testing your brain to see how it would endure a ”traumatic event” or just the satisfaction of going to the cinema with your friends to see a horror movie and being the only one who didn’t get a jumpscare. When I was younger I used to do this with spicy food because I thought I was cool but I would always end up with teary eyes and a swollen tongue. Watching scary films also creates some kind of bonding between the spectators, screaming, laughing nervously or even clutching someone’s arm, an “we’re in this together“ sort of thing. I even read somewhere that horror movie dates are more successful than watching any other genre.

On the other hand, horror movies are pretty controversial due to their graphic content, moral views and psychological effect. Critics point out that movies like Saw or The Texas Chain Saw Massacre desensitize viewers to real life suffering or that The Exorcist is promoting fear of religious themes, some even calling it blasphemous. Hereditary is also an example for creating controversy by using trauma to make the audience uncomfortable.

In conclusion, horror movies help us explore the complexities of fear and its liked by many because they give an adrenaline rush or a sense of accomplishment, though others perceive them as controversial and question their impact on society. Love them or hate them, they remain a thought-provoking form of artistic expression, leaving the audience to question their morals and creating a thrilling experience.

Furthermore, I feel that it is absolutely vital for those who engage in the reading of this article, to pay attention to the subject of my analysis. I give them time to take courage to those who find themselves involved in the assumed risk situation (characteristic to the phase before viewing such a film, focused on a binary uncertainty) because you often can't understand the essence after a single viewing. In order to make sure that my own judgment won't be stoned, I want to point out that „the public” lighting is intended for an urb, not a cavern, which is bathed in the opacity of understanding some concepts bigger than any darkness and which, if they were crudely summarized, would lose their biological authenticity. The visual narrative implies the presence of a soul divided into two identical bodies, coexisting in different parts of Europe, a Weronika is in Poland, just as there is a Véronique in France.

The debut of the first lines in the film is simultaneous with the "portal-frame" of a city turned upside downand patronized by millions of stars that makes you think of a relative universe of knowledge and its hidden multiple possibilities (from the perspective of the child Weronika). In parallel, Veronique takes note of the micro plane of reality, as abstract as its macro extension. With this in mind, I will try, as far as possible, to mirror the reality of one in the other, without in any way damaging the order of events.

1 - WERONIKA, POLAND

The first 30 minutes of the film are devoted to Weronika's reality. The beginning of this part opens with an outdoor recital, where Weronika seems to be the only "survivor" of the "great flood", sincerely enjoying her own nature. The rain falling on Poland seems to be a huge Chinese drop that manipulates its "victim" until the major change. Little by little, the socialist bulwark that has been built up for years, rolling successively and uninterruptedly, turning itself upside down, is crumbling just like the communist regime. „Bronze Lenin” is deported, while street manifestations are becoming more and more purulent in Krakow. If someone were to condemn you to an overwhelming obligation, that would be to keep alive what is ephemeral from birth, a reference to the only moment of intimacy between Weronika and Antek, after the recital. Later, we also meet Weronika's father, who seems to be sensitive in his attitude towards his own daughter. It is also the first time that Weronika verbalizes the thrill of intuition, a moment that happens just before leaving for Krakow.  The purpose of the visit is to see her aunt again, because she’s ill. We will fiind out from the aunt that Weronika's mother had died. Fissures of playfulness gradually invade the sober painting of Poland, an asset in line with the philosophy and symbols hidden among Kieślowski's frames.

However, the moments are always brought to a logical thread of the action, and an example that breaks the ice is the clandestine meeting and the perplexed look at Veronique, like an extra in thetheater, in a setting where a crowd of citizens, accompanied by the were releasing their freedom. We notice a smile similar to the one after the meeting with Antek, a smile for a portrait sketched according to the face and likeness of the viewer.

Until Weronika's death, which occurs suddenly at the symphony concert for which she had been selected, various more or less absurd or unclear events are imprinted on the collective retina of the audience. At the first signs of a heart attack, Weronika has to deal with an unusual episode. Supported by a bench, she sees a man dressed in a coat, who only for a second shows his genital area, then covers himself in place, passing on calmly. It is circulated by various voices that man is born naked and dies naked, and what Weronika sees is translated in my vision as a sign, as an anticipated pronouncement of fate.

2 – VERONIQUE, FRANCE

Weronika's death, although it was totally an incident produced in an unknown time and space, will installin Véronique a state of restlessness, similar to thel oss of a dear being.

As in the Ancient Rome, the god Ianus was depicted with two faces (one looking forward and one looking back), so in Kieślowski, Weronika and Veronique are back to back, unable to identify with each other in tangible reality. Veronique's trick is this: through a "DNA" anomaly, she comes to favorably anticipate the plausibility of the negative aspects that could arise, so she takes instinctive measures to avoid danger. She does not accept a professional proposal from a musician, but prefers to shelter herself, opting for a job as a teacher.

At school, she unexpectedly meets a man who was a puppeteer and with whom she suddenly and sincerely falls in love. She secretly documents his professional activity and consults with a close friend. In return, the puppeteer calls her in the middle of the night and sends her tapes with subliminal messages, just as eager to meet her. What amplifies the bizarreness of the situation, of course, would be an event external to the relationship with the puppeteer, namely the appearance of Weronika's ex-girlfriend in Paris. Veronique doesn’t know the identity of this woman, but a fact that supports the provision is not taking a seat next to her, therefore that leads her to another cafe where Alexandre was.

Before meeting Alexandre, Veronique sees a cardiologist and receives in the mail a rubber band from Weronika's sheet music file, which she initially throws away. The scene of stimulating the desire to simply save the received object in a senderless erasure produces another one even more loaded with meaning. Veronique picks up both the rubber band and the recently performed EKG, the rubber band following the jagged line of the heartbeat until it stretches close to the snap, close to the heart attack, suggesting an irreversibly interrupted vital signs monitor, a frame that later agrees with the image of the graveyard.

In conclusion, this is a perfect film for those who want to know a different style of cinematic approach, compared to Hollywood movies, to study and review.

A New Era of Learning

The advent of technology in education marks a significant shift from traditional teaching methods. Smartboards replace chalkboards, tablets take the place of textbooks, and online resources supplement classroom instruction. These changes are not merely cosmetic; they represent a fundamental shift in how students engage with learning materials.

One of the most compelling advantages of technology in schools is its ability to cater to diverse learning styles. Interactive software, educational apps, and virtual simulations offer students various ways to understand complex concepts. Visual learners can benefit from video content, kinesthetic learners can engage with interactive simulations, and auditory learners can listen to podcasts or audio lessons. This adaptability helps ensure that no student is left behind, fostering a more inclusive learning environment.

Personalized Education

Personalized learning is another significant benefit brought about by technology. With adaptive learning platforms, teachers can customize lessons to meet the individual needs of each student. These platforms analyze students' progress and adjust the difficulty level of tasks accordingly, providing extra support where needed and advancing when a student is ready. This level of personalization was previously unattainable in a traditional classroom setting, where one-size-fits-all teaching methods often prevailed.

Moreover, technology facilitates differentiated instruction, allowing teachers to address the varied proficiency levels within a single classroom. Students can work at their own pace, accessing resources that match their specific learning needs. This approach not only enhances academic performance but also boosts students' confidence and motivation.

Bridging the Educational Divide

One of the most transformative aspects of technology in schools is its potential to bridge educational disparities. In underserved communities, where access to quality education and resources has historically been limited, technology can level the playing field. Online courses, digital libraries, and virtual tutoring provide students with access to information and support that might otherwise be out of reach.

Programs that distribute devices and offer internet access to students in need have shown promising results in closing the digital divide. By ensuring that all students have the tools they need to succeed, these initiatives promote equity and inclusivity in education. Additionally, technology enables remote learning, which proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools that were able to swiftly transition to online learning mitigated the educational disruption caused by lockdowns, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability afforded by digital tools.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite the numerous benefits, the integration of technology in schools is not without its challenges. One significant concern is the issue of screen time. Prolonged use of digital devices can have adverse effects on students' health, including eye strain, poor posture, and disrupted sleep patterns. Educators and parents must find a balance that leverages the advantages of technology without compromising students' well-being.

Another challenge is ensuring that teachers are adequately trained to use new technologies effectively. Professional development programs are essential to equip educators with the skills needed to integrate digital tools into their teaching practices seamlessly. Without proper training, the potential benefits of technology in education may not be fully realized.

Privacy and security are also paramount. Schools must implement robust measures to protect students' personal information and ensure a safe online environment. Cybersecurity threats and data breaches pose significant risks, making it crucial for educational institutions to stay vigilant and proactive.